Project Onsite Manager

thyssenkrupp; Blythewood (SC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An international industrial and technology group is seeking a Project Onsite Manager in Blythewood, SC. This role involves leading onsite operational planning and execution for complex automation projects, ensuring safety and schedule adherence. Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering and 3-5 years of onsite project execution. Strong project management, communication, and analytical skills are necessary. Extensive travel and a significant onsite presence during installation phases are expected.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of onsite project execution experience.
• Experience in automotive body-in-white environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational planning for construction and production.
• Manage daily onsite activities to align with project schedules.
• Serve as primary onsite contact for customers and suppliers.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Conflict management skills

Solution-oriented approach

Project management skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

thyssenkrupp is an international industrial and technology group with more than 93,000 employees. In the fiscal year 2024/2025, the company generated sales of around €33 billion in 48 countries. Its business activities are bundled in five segments: Automotive Technology, Decarbon Technologies, Materials Services, Steel Europe and Marine Systems. With extensive technological know-how, outstanding engineering competence and a high level of innovative strength, the group develops solutions for the challenges of the future, especially in the fields of climate protection and energy transition, digital transformation in industry and mobility of the future.

Our Automotive Body Solution business is a dedicated local line builder specializing in small‑scale projects with a focus on precision and quality. Our expertise encompasses Brownfield Body‑in‑White (BIW) Automation Lines, offering comprehensive services from design and simulation to manufacturing, installation, and programming. Our capabilities extend to robot and PLC programming, virtual commissioning, and quality improvement, all managed through meticulous project oversight. In addition, we provide specialized labor, including hemming expertise in roller and table top hemming, as well as prototype equipment for BIW and forming dies. With a strong foundation in consulting, we assist with BIW process optimization and forming die expertise. Our Greenfield BIW services further highlight our versatility and commitment to delivering top‑tier solutions in the automotive industry.

Your responsibilities

This role will work out of Blythewood, South Carolina on a weekly basis.

We are seeking a Project Onsite Manager (POM) with a background in automation control systems to support complex automation and manufacturing projects as part of a Global Program Execution Team. This role is responsible for leading onsite operational planning and execution, ensuring construction, installation, commissioning, and production readiness activities are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

The POM serves as a key onsite leader during project execution and works closely with engineering, project management, customers, and suppliers to ensure successful delivery of production systems.

Role within the Project Team

• Project Manager (PM) - Overall project leadership, schedule, budget, and customer interface
• Project Engineer - Mechanical (PEM) - Mechanical design, build, and installation leadership
• Project Engineer - Controls (PEC) - Electrical and automation controls leadership
• Project Onsite Manager (POM) - Onsite operational planning, coordination, and execution leadership

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational planning, securing, and control of all activities required to ensure the construction and production site is completed on time
• Coordinate and control onsite execution during installation, commissioning, and launch phases
• Manage daily onsite activities and sequencing to align with project schedules and milestones
• Act as the primary onsite contact for customers and suppliers for all construction site-related topics
• Participate in customer reporting and review meetings
• Coordinate and communicate onsite requirements, constraints, and progress
• Coordinate installation and commissioning phases onsite
• Prepare and support successful execution of customer system acceptances and internal milestone approvals

Documentation & Information Flow

• Obtain, manage, and distribute relevant construction site documentation
• Identify disruptive factors early and communicate risks promptly
• Make subject‑specific operational decisions, consulting management as required

Subcontractor & Resource Management

• Manage commissioned subcontractors and onsite service providers

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering or related field
• 3-5 years of onsite project execution

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in automotive body‑in‑white environments
• Initial project or construction site management experience
• Strong analytical, solution‑oriented mindset
• Goal- and results‑focused
• Strong communication and conflict management skills
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Fluent English; German is an advantage

Travel & Working Conditions

• Extensive national and international travel required
• Significant onsite presence during installation and launch phases

The [above] is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.